JA Americas brought together the top Junior Achievement student companies from across the region for the 2025 JA Americas Company of the Year (COY) Competition, held over three energizing days in Rio de Janeiro. Participants engaged with inspiring speakers—including Global Business Hall of Fame Laureates Jorge Gerdau Johannpeter and Maria Eugenia Brizuela de Avila—networked with peers, and presented their innovative ventures to judges, fellow students, and JA staff from around the world.
Day 1 focused on settling in and orientation, while Day 2 was dedicated entirely to competition activities. Student teams prepared their pitch materials, refined stage presentations, and set up booths for the entrepreneurship fair. The fair opened later that day, giving each company the opportunity to showcase its business to judges, participants, and attendees of JA Worldwide’s Global Leadership Conference—including the JA Americas Board and the JA Worldwide Board of Governors.
On the final day, student companies completed the interview portion of the judging process, reflecting deeply on their business models, impact, and teamwork. Students then had time to relax and celebrate their accomplishments before the awards gala.
Meet the Student Companies
Argentina
- Lexia: A booklet for children with dyslexia, featuring simplified classic stories, clear typography, and integrated educational activities.
- Refugio Patagónico: Artisanal jams and spreads made from Jerusalem artichoke, promoting healthy, organic eating and Patagonian identity.
Brazil
- Agarrô: An ergonomic, multifunctional bag support made from 3D-printed bioplastic and upholstery off-cuts.
- Essenza: Natural soaps with an integrated vegetable loofah for a biodegradable, eco-friendly self-care experience.
- ReBags: Sustainable bags and accessories crafted from recycled truck tire inner tubes and used jeans.
Canada
- Top Shelf: Publisher of Seawater Studies, a children’s book series printed with plant-based ink on recycled paper, teaching literacy and values through ocean-themed stories.
Chile
- Áurea: A natural hydrating hair cream made from Changle fungus, designed to strengthen, repair, and protect hair.
Colombia
- Bio-Pot: Biodegradable, nutrient-rich pots made from recycled materials for home gardening.
Costa Rica
- BookMark: A 3D-printed smart bookmark that tracks reading time, gamifies literacy, and motivates young readers.
Ecuador
- Elementies JA: Natural therapeutic cushions filled with medicinal plants and seeds, made with fully compostable fabrics.
- Lula Pak JA: Ecological, durable bags decorated with Amazonian and wildlife protection themes.
- Sacky JA: Sustainable lunch bags made from recycled plastic bottles and featuring Ecuadorian animal motifs that promote healthy eating and environmental awareness.
Guatemala
- FutureFund: Online personalized tutoring in math and physics to help students improve grades and build confidence.
Jamaica
- Bio-Bloom: Compostable seed-embedded pots made from coconut coir and recycled newspaper.
- Eco Egg: A natural cleaning powder made from eggshells, baking soda, and homemade soap.
Mexico
- Bakachi: A natural powdered shake made from fruits, seeds, and superfoods to support digestion, immunity, and energy.
- EcoBit: Compressed compost cubes with integrated seeds to support sustainable home cultivation and soil enrichment.
Peru
• Ecoarom: Solid, eco-friendly perfume made with natural ingredients in a compact, recyclable container.
• Mucy Laya: Moisturizing cream made from cocoa mucilage, transforming an agricultural by-product into a vitamin-rich formula packaged in reusable glass jars.
Uruguay
ENEA: Handcrafted aromatherapy accessories with built-in aroma diffusers using essential oils.
Award Winners
FedEx Global Possibilities Award
Celebrating innovation, new market potential, community development, sustainability, and social responsibility.
Winner: Lula Pak JA, JA Ecuador
Alumni Leadership Award
Honoring exceptional leadership, personal strength, and commitment throughout the JA Company Program journey.
Winner: David Sebastián Obando Escobar, JA Ecuador
Delta Air Lines Social Impact Award
Recognizing relevance and purpose of impact, measurable results, inclusion, equity, partnerships, and sustainability.
Winner: Essenza, JA Brazil
PMIEF Project Success Award
Awarding excellence in understanding and applying project management principles through clear, compelling, and detailed content.
Winner: Mucy Laya, JA Peru
JA Americas Company of the Year Winners
The COY judges evaluated student companies on their reports, video pitches, stage presentations, trade fair performance, and interviews, assessing creativity, innovation, teamwork, impact, scalability, and organizational management.
Third Place: Elementies JA, JA Ecuador
Second Place: Agarrô, JA Brazil
First Place – JA Americas Company of the Year: Sacky JA, JA Ecuador
As regional champion, Sacky JA will advance to compete for the 2026 De La Vega Global Entrepreneurship Award, joining regional winners including Zester (JA Hong Kong SAR—China) from JA Asia Pacific, VerifyID (JA Denmark) from JA Europe, InnovaQuest (JA of Southeastern Pennsylvania) from Junior Achievement USA, and EcoRock (INJAZ Palestine) from INJAZ Al-Arab/JA MENA. JA Africa will hold its regional competition in December.
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